Pelosi leadership bid misguided

Democratic defeats sent message that the speaker doesn't get.

Published 2:24 pm, Monday, November 15, 2010

Even if outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's supporters feel she has been unfairly labeled, the San Francisco Democrat is emblematic of partisan polarization.

Pelosi succeeded in pushing through the controversial legslation - including health care reform and an economic stimulus package - that led to huge Democratic defeats earlier this month and gave Republicans a majority in the next Congress.

For the good of the party and congressional efforts to move forward in a more bipartisan manner, Pelosi should step aside and let a more moderate voice lead Democrats in the House. But, instead, she is running for minority leader.

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While she apparently has enough votes to win the position, Peolsi's decision has created justified unrest among the Democratic ranks.

The Associated Press reported that a post-election poll by the PewResearchCenter for the People & the Press found that 54 percent of Democratic-leaning adults want the party to move to the political center.

That is less likely to happen with the lightning-rod liberal at the party's helm in the House.

Pelosi's unwillingness to step aside shows that she did not get the message sent by voters. And her stubbornness is likely to hurt her party's efforts to rebound from the staggering defeats that wiped out many moderate Democrats.

President Barack Obama unfortunately has given Pelosi his tacit support.

Some Democrats would like to postpone until next month the leadership elections that are set for Wednesday. Not unexpectedly, Pelosi has refused to budge on the timing of the vote.

Rep. Heath Schuler, a moderate Democrat from North Carolina, plans to challenge her for the minority leader position, although he acknowledges that he lacks the votes to win.

Meanwhile, Politico reported Monday that Blue Dog Democrats will push for changes to the party's caucus rules in a bid to take power from the minority leader and give moderates a bigger voice.

The situation is fracturing the Democratic caucus.

Pelosi's selfish decision to cling to power will tarnish her legacy and bolster the bad reputation of Capitol Hill insiders.